New Meds

... some bad stuff too. Had two seizures this morning. 911. Completely stable and home by 3:00 pm. First seizure I've ever had and hopefully the last. They perscribed Dilantin to get them under control.

So..... that means I missed Chemo this morning. At the Oncologist neither of the primary, and more experienced doctors, were there. I guess we will just have to wait until Monday. I've got plenty of nothing on my calendar anyway.

I will get another post going for later this evening.

Thank you all for your support

Day Two

So today wasn't too bad. Slept again - about an hour. Which is good since I got no sleep Wednesday night. It seems we 'over dosed' on the Decadron - the anti-inflammatory that was being used to lessen the swelling around the brain lesions. I had been taking two 4mg per day. The idea was to stop taking it to see if the radiation was successful. Well - part of yesterday's cocktail was a 20mg dose. There was no way I was going to sleep.

Additionally I was given Emend - for the prevention of nausea and vomiting. And it works.

Not much else to pass on. Oh wait - had the hot water heater replaced today. Not very good timing.

If you are dead, serenity is academic.

Stress may not kill you, but it doesn't help. I am pretty stressed at the moment.

Found the pictures from Tibet and have fixed the link. Or click here.  It was fun to review that journey.

So I just need to keep my spirits up and that really helps.

Enough for now.

Crazy Neurons

In an act of daring, I grew a moustache when I went college in 1971. I have never shaved it off. We need a pool.  Heidi said 17 days. That's how long after starting radiation that I went bald. Care to offer your guess?

Working on the Tibet pictures. Should have that with the next update.

D-Day

So the day was pretty easy. Slept most of the time in the chair. The steroids tend to prevent much any chance of sleeping. And I need to stop taking those to see if there is any change in the brain lesions, and if the headaches are under control. I think I might need them.

Today Cisplatin and tomorrow Etoposide - here is information regarding  them.

Will check in tomorrow for an update. And hopefully find those Tibet pictures.

By any other name

Had a different title in mind - once. This just will ramble and provide some links in case you are interested. Have had a better week resting and bulking up for the chemo. Still battling some pain, but overall not all that bad following the radiation.

Still very anxious to see the results of my first treatment. Will be in the chair for 6 hours today. It is only in the last 30 minutes that the drug 'cocktail' is injected. The need the body as liquid as possible to assist with getting the dose everywhere fast, I guess. Books - iPod and snacks.

So, who gets lung cancer? You might be surprised.

There is always hope.

Tim Ritchie once called me an iconoclast. He just couldn't understand me I don't think. And there is curmudgeon. And I know there are other names that just don't come to mind. And I never denied that my personality is sometimes strange. I have always been crazy. I just never knew how crazy. These might give a clue. What's been seen cannot be unseen. Blasphemy.

And then there is always Tibet. A beautiful land I had the honor to visit. Excellent companions I might add. Not sure if anyone has seen some of these pictures, which I am still digging for. Will do that later - after chemo, so just check back.

All for now.

Family Album

I've been rolling through my hard drive, and these pictures have appeared. Enjoy.

Gone Shootin - No Dogs Allowed

Had a really good day. See what we were up to in the hills. Real tired now. But it is a good tired.

Observations - some cute

Just checking in, and getting some pictures going here. Guess I can use my night time energy burst to do something.

Gaining weight in prep for Chemo, and just starting to get some energy. 

And in many ways, I am getting back to where I should have been, living wise, a long time ago. There is a much different perspective.

And I think I have had another first. Sunburned eardrums - I am serious. Pretty obnoxious to say the least. Sarah picked me another 'hat'. Soft as bunny fur and warm. Especially with the new haircut. Forecast is for low 50's by the weekend.

Pack Rat

It starts with baseball cards, and then it never seems to end. And unfortunately, it never does end. Been doing computers so long, any one need a copy of Windows 95 [full legit out of the box] let me know cause I seem to have it all. Plus just about every driver disk, manual and component you might ever want - or need. Let me know, it is yours. Pure 19th century technology.

Really sucks

I suppose what really bites is the control loss. Though really, how much control do we have?And discovering those 'limits' can be drawn out as mine was. Life's choices, of which I've hidden from many, are simply that. A decision - with no guarantee as to the outcome. This world has changed so significantly in my short years. And I suppose living in the past has such great appeal. Such simpler and safer times.

Moustache

This will be the first occasion for anyone to see me less the stash. Grew it my first year in college and never looked back.

Chemo Doc

So, it starts next Wednesday. First round is a three day shot. Six hours on Wednesday, then and hour or so the next two days. Finishing on my Birthday, the 27th. Stars crossing out there somewhere. Then, depending on results and tolerance and all that neat stuff, would do the second round in three weeks. Cisplatin and Etoposide. And I guess this is where I HAVE to end the smoking. 

Commercial Interruption

Just a pause for the cause. Fine barber services, lousy atmosphere. 

Rx Mixup

I guess you'd call it a prescription faux pax. I had failed to renew the steroid medicine, and was subsequently under for the steroids, which brought back the headaches. Got that straight, and have been back on track for a few days. Don't use the pain killers anymore - or at least haven't lately.

Last week of radio therapy - get to keep the mask. Then meet again next week with Dr Shiff, the Chemo doc. I am guessing that this first meeting will be to discuss the treatment options. At least I am ready to see what's next.

Had a soiree last Saturday and it was fun. I want to thank everyone who showed. It was heart warming for everyone's concern and best wishes. A real neat morale booster. It kept me going for a few days. The following Monday, all was fine. Tuesday brought the ravages of Radio into full play. Extreme fatigue and overall pains. Moving about - 5 mph. The the shower - what's all that hair from? 

Yep - finally got me. And real cold.

But, I got the mask. Will try to get some snapshots up later today.

Met with the Radio doc after my last treatment on Friday. The immediate plan is to return in 2 weeks for a general check. Then within 6 weeks another MRI to check the lesions and size and condition. Maybe more from there.

I will find out Tuesday what Chemo brings on. Not sure if they will give me any time off for good behavior with Radio. I need to bulk up a bit more and get some strength back. Exercise, I know, as I can. It will be good for me.

Kinda of a lazy snowy day. Will spend my time just putzing around. Do something, forget and move on to something else. Just try to keep a reasonable sleeping pattern. That is a real hard one too.